Fabric

ABSTRACT

A fabric with warp threads and weft threads. The warp threads are alternately formed by sections of multifilament yarn and sections of staple fiber yarn, and the staple fiber yarn has a larger diameter than the multifilament yarn such that surfaces of the sections of staple fiber yarn lie higher than surfaces of the sections of multifilament yarn in a cross section through the fabric.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) of Austrian Patent Application No. A 51152/2016 filed Dec. 16, 2016, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The invention pertains to a fabric with warp threads and weft threads.

The invention furthermore pertains to a utilization of such a fabric.

2. Discussion of Background Information

Sun-exposed areas can be equipped with fixed or optionally retractable and extendable shading elements in order to protect persons. One example of such shading elements are awnings of the type frequently provided on terraces or balconies of apartment buildings.

A shading element such as an awning is typically made of a fabric that is connected to mechanical components, which either allow fixed or time-variable positioning of the shading element. For example, an awning is typically provided with a frame, in which the awning is rolled up, wherein the awning can be extended by being unrolled as needed and subsequently retracted again.

The fabric of an awning or another shading element is not only exposed to solar irradiation, but particularly also to weather effects. The fabric usually withstands the effects of sunlight over several years because the fabric is specifically designed for this purpose. However, weather effects such as rain or snow can stress the fabric and also lead to an undesirable appearance. For example, raindrops accumulating on an awning can lead to undesirable color spots, particularly on darker awning materials. This undesirable effect can intensify at a high pollen count.

More importantly, rainwater can also indirectly affect the durability of the fabric. If an awning is retracted in the rain, raindrops are already located on the awning and therefore entrained when the awning is rolled up on a shaft provided for this purpose after it begins to rain. As a result, water remains within the rolled-up awning and may over time lead to mold formation depending on how long the awning remains in the rolled-up state.

SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The invention is based on the objective of disclosing a fabric, by means of which the above-described problems can be avoided.

This objective is attained in that the warp threads in a fabric of the initially described type are alternately formed by sections of multifilament yarn and sections of staple fiber yarn, wherein the staple fiber yarn has a larger diameter than the multifilament yarn such that surfaces of the sections of staple fiber yarn lie higher than surfaces of the sections of multifilament yarn in a cross section through the fabric.

An inventive fabric is characterized in that a channel structure can effectively be formed due to the alternate arrangement of multifilament yarn sections and staple fiber yarn sections in the warp threads if the staple fiber yarn has a larger diameter than the multifilament yarn. In a cross section through the fabric viewed perpendicular to the warp threads, the surface sections consisting of staple fiber yarn then lie above the surface sections consisting of multifilament yarn. Any water can therefore be drained off along the lower-lying multifilament yarn sections. This is useful, for example, when the fabric is used in an awning and the awning is rolled up. In this case, the fabric is arranged accordingly such that the channel structure extends along the direction, in which the awning is respectively retracted and extended. When the awning is retracted, the water is then pressed out along the multifilament yarn sections such that an accumulation of water in the rolled-up awning area is minimized or at least reduced.

The multifilament yarn sections may respectively comprise or be made of 1 to 40 multifilament yarns that are arranged directly adjacent to one another, preferably 1 to 30 multifilament yarns, particularly 2 to 20 multifilament yarns, especially 2 to 8 multifilament yarns. A single multifilament yarn would basically already suffice for forming a corresponding section for the warp threads. However, it is preferred to provide at least two multifilament yarns that are arranged directly adjacent to one another. It proved advantageous to limit the maximum number of adjacently arranged multifilament yarns to 40, preferably to 30. If more adjacently arranged multifilament yarns are provided, the corresponding sections become so wide that an asymmetric strength ratio is created. This can be attributed to the fact that the multifilament yarns are primarily responsible for the strength and for absorbing forces. In this respect, it proved particularly advantageous to limit the maximum number of multifilament yarns to 8 in order to optimize all performance characteristics.

The multifilament yarn used may particularly consist of a smooth yarn that promotes the drainage of water.

Since the multifilament yarn, as well as the staple fiber yarn, is not only exposed to weather effects, but particularly also to UV radiation, it is advantageous if the multifilament yarn is solution-dyed.

The multifilament yarn may consist of any suitable material that can also be processed, in particular, by means of solution-dying. For example, polyester or polypropylene may be considered for this purpose. It is particularly preferred to use polyacrylonitrile.

For example, the staple fiber yarn sections may respectively comprise or be made of 1 to 15 staple fiber yarns that are arranged directly adjacent to one another, preferably 1 to 10 staple fiber yarns, particularly 2 to 8 staple fiber yarns. The number of staple fiber yarns of a corresponding section thereof is particularly adapted to the multifilament yarn sections.

The staple fiber yarn used may preferably also be solution-dyed analogous to the multifilament yarn.

The weft threads may basically consist of any yarn. It is preferred that the weft threads consist of a multifilament yarn. The weft threads may particularly consist of the same multifilament yarn, which is also used in the warp threads.

According to the above-described advantages, an inventive fabric is particularly used as a fabric for awnings.

Other exemplary embodiments and advantages of the present invention may be ascertained by reviewing the present disclosure and the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is further described in the detailed description which follows, in reference to the noted plurality of drawings by way of non-limiting examples of exemplary embodiments of the present invention, in which like reference numerals represent similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings, and wherein:

FIG. 1 schematically shows a fabric;

FIG. 2 shows a cross section through different yarn sections; and

FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of the surface of an inventive fabric.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The particulars shown herein are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the embodiments of the present invention only and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the present invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the present invention in more detail than is necessary for the fundamental understanding of the present invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the present invention may be embodied in practice.

FIG. 1 shows a highly schematic representation of an inventive fabric 1. The fabric 1 comprises warp threads 2 and weft threads 3. The warp threads 2 consist of a multifilament yarn 4 on the one hand and of a staple fiber yarn 5 on the other hand. The multifilament yarn 4 is arranged, for example, in bundles of 2 to 8 yarns, between which no staple fiber yarn 5 is located. The thusly arranged multifilament yarns 4 thereby form a section 41 with an upper, top surface 42 of this section 41. For example, the multifilament yarn 4 may be made of polyacrylonitrile. The multifilament yarn 4 is formed by connecting up to 200 monofilaments to one another. In this context, it is advantageous to use solution-dyed monofilaments.

The sections 41 of multifilament yarn 4 are respectively arranged alternately with sections 51 of staple fiber yarn 5. The staple fiber yarn 5 used also does not consist of a single yarn, but rather a bundle of adjacently arranged staple fiber yarns 5, which according to FIG. 2 form a section 51 with an upper side or upper surface 52. The width of the staple fiber yarn 5 is preferably adapted to a width 41 of the multifilament yarn 4. For example, both sections may be respectively formed by four adjacently arranged yarns. The staple fiber yarn 5 may be solution-dyed analogous to the multifilament yarn 4.

In addition to the warp threads 2, the fabric 1 also comprises conventional weft threads 3, which are merely indicated with broken lines in FIG. 1. The exact extent of the weft threads 3 depends on the chosen type of weave. The weave can be chosen arbitrarily, for example in the form of well-known weaves such as linen weave, twill weave or satin weave. For example, the weft threads 3 may consist of the same multifilament yarn 4 as that forming the sections 41 of the warp threads 2.

The multifilament yarns 4 of the warp threads 2 have a smaller diameter than the staple fiber yarns 5. According to the schematic cross section through the fabric 1 illustrated in FIG. 2, this results in a structure, in which the height of the sections 41 lies below the height of the sections 51. This height difference particularly refers to a comparison between the upper side or upper surface 42 of the section 41 of multifilament yarn 4 and the upper side or upper surface 52 of the section 51 of staple fiber yarn 5. Although the weft threads 3 are not illustrated in FIG. 2, these weft threads 3 do not change the fact that the sections 41 with the surface 42 on average lie below the surface 52 of the sections 51 regardless of the type of weave. Channel structures, through which water can drain off, are thereby formed on the upper side of the fabric 1. Dirt is also removed together with the draining water. This effect can also be promoted by using smooth multifilament yarns 4 in order to optimize the channel structure.

FIG. 3 shows a corresponding schematic representation of the resulting upper side of the fabric 1 with the channel structures.

A fabric 1 of the above-described type can be used in any areas, particularly in outdoor areas. It proved particularly advantageous to use the inventive fabric for awnings. The fabric 1 is fixed on an awning in such a way that the channel structures extend along the direction, in which the awning is retracted and extended. In this way, water preferably drains off along the channels and, in particular, can also be effectively pressed out when the awning is retracted.

It is noted that the foregoing examples have been provided merely for the purpose of explanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting of the present invention. While the present invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it is understood that the words which have been used herein are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Changes may be made, within the purview of the appended claims, as presently stated and as amended, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention in its aspects. Although the present invention has been described herein with reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather, the present invention extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A fabric comprising warp threads and weft threads, wherein the warp threads are alternately formed by sections of multifilament yarn and sections of staple fiber yarn, wherein the staple fiber yarn has a larger diameter than the multifilament yarn such that surfaces of the sections of staple fiber yarn lie higher than surfaces of the sections of multifilament yarn in a cross section through the fabric.
 2. The fabric according to claim 1, wherein the sections of multifilament yarn respectively comprise 1 to 40 multifilament yarns that are arranged directly adjacent to one another, preferably 1 to 30 multifilament yarns, particularly 2 to 20 multifilament yarns, especially 2 to 8 multifilament yarns.
 3. The fabric according to claim 1, wherein the multifilament yarn used consists of a smooth yarn.
 4. The fabric according to claim 1, wherein the multifilament yarn is solution-dyed.
 5. The fabric according to claim 1, wherein the multifilament yarn is made of polyacrylonitrile.
 6. The fabric according to claim 1, wherein the sections of staple fiber yarn are made of 1 to 15 staple fiber yarns that are arranged directly adjacent to one another, preferably 1 to 10 staple fiber yarns, particularly 2 to 8 staple fiber yarns.
 7. The fabric according to claim 1, wherein the staple fiber yarn is solution-dyed.
 8. The fabric according to claim 1, wherein the weft threads consist of a multifilament yarn.
 9. The fabric according to claim 1, wherein the weft threads consist of the same multifilament yarn, which is also used in the warp threads.
 10. A utilization of a fabric according to claim 1 for awnings. 